Alan was already sitting up and smiling to himself.

It was my first sight of my friend since we were parted, and I looked upon him with enjoyment.

He had still the same big great-coat on his back; but (what was new) he had now a pair of knitted boot-hose drawn above the knee.

Doubtless these were intended for disguise; but, as the day promised to be warm, he made a most unseasonable figure.
"Well, Davie," said he, "is this no a bonny morning?
Here is a day that looks the way that a day ought to.

This is a great change of it from the belly of my haystack; and while you were there sottering and sleeping I have done a thing that maybe I do over seldom." "And what was that ?" said I.
"O, just said my prayers," said he.
"And where are my gentry, as ye call them ?" I asked.
"Gude kens," says he; "and the short and the long of it is that we must take our chance of them.